My first job out of college (this job) was a laboratory work type of position that paid $18/hour in a city where studio apartments cost $1800. Of course none of my coworkers had their own apartment, everyone in this town rents bedrooms (for no less than $1200 I might add).
Other than the low pay, my workplace was the antithesis of of anti-work. No one barked at me for taking a 16 min break instead of a 10. Management was extremely hands off, never micromanaged. HR was very responsive t any concerns. If I called my boss and said I was feeling depressed, he’d give me as much time off as needed. I could come to work late as long as I called first to notify.
HOWEVER the wage just doesn’t pay my rent and there was no room for discussion on that topic even though I tried
To supplement my income, I started cleaning houses in the mornings and weekends. I’ve worked 10-12 hour days for the last 3 months. And I came to the realization – why am I working at this lab when I can make the same amount in 4 hours cleaning houses that I can in 8 hours at this lab. Part of me is terrified about future employment prospects, worried that the world will somehow punish me for not “building my resume” and “building my career” (I’m just 1.5 years out of college)
I made $35/hour plus insane tips (I live in a very wealthy tourist town) cleaning homes. I’m in total control of my hours, who I work for, when I take time off, no boss to report to, which is my ultimate goal. My clients treat me like family, invite me to events in their personal life, gift me cute things like clothes, furniture, baked goods (cute!) and I’m making so many new connections in my small community.
I still feel uncomfortable (embarrassed) talking about my work with peers and family because ultimate there is a lot of prejudice? Classism? Preconceived ideas…. (I don’t know which term to use) around being a MAID. No one ever says it directly but I can tell people look down on me for being a domestic worker. People always ask what I’m going to do next, am I going to hire employees and expand? “Are you just going to be a maid for the rest of your life?” Almost as if it would somehow be lazy of me not to?
But no, I’m not going to expand, because I don’t want to BE a boss. I’m really proud of the work I do and insanely grateful that I’m even able to be in this position, and I just want that to be enough right now
Also, shout out to all the domestic workers on this sub – you’re amazing and you deserve more